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WELL FINISHED: Celebrities are brand icons for signature buildings in Dubai that sport their names.

Let alone lending an imaginative character with creative architecture or sprucing it further with contemporary materials, what lends a signature gaze to it is an ingenious trend that makes the world look up with reverence and dignity.

‘Celebrity real estate projects’ is the first of its kind launched by ACI Real Estate (an affiliate of Alternative Invest Capital, an investment house from Germany) and invites celebrities to be some kind of brand ambassadors.

The buildings are not only loaded with affluent features, but are also named after the celebrities for immediate reckoning.

ACI’s investments include the three sports legend commercial towers, ‘Trilogy’ project which comprises Niki Lauda Twin Towers, Michael Schumacher Business Avenue and Boris Becker Business Tower situated along Dubai’s upmarket Business Bay district.

Five new towers are soon to be launched in Abu Dhabi. The ‘Trilogy towers’ is earmarked for completion in 2009/10. With time these will stand both as local landmarks as well as global reference points at one of the region’s most prestigious addresses.

Robin Lohmann, Managing Director of ACI Real Estate, said “The UAE property market offers significant opportunities for hard currency investors. The global fluctuations in interest rates and imminent slump in the U.S. will continue to divert funds globally to pockets such as the Emirates which offer sterling opportunities for ready investors.

The long-term economic vision of Abu Dhabi and Dubai signal sustainable gains for commercial and residential space, as well as sustained pricing. Such fundamentals make for healthy gains for the prudent investor.”

ACI Real Estate has plans for 13 commercial and residential towers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Several of the buildings were sold to investors across Europe within hours of coming to the market.

Mr. Lohmann says “We believe in doing things a little differently, as being innovative in marketing our projects adds significant value to our offerings.

By adding a celebrity brand that matches our standards of excellence, we ensure that we don’t just deliver a great product to our customers, we create an iconic landmark that is instantly recognisable.”

And what does the Indian scene speak of with trends like this emerging? Says Sanjay Chimnani, Joint MD, ACI Real Estate, India, “With our background and experience in the real estate business, we believe that we will contribute a lot to the real estate industry in India. We have plans to partner with local companies in six Indian cities in the first phase.”

ACI Real Estate chose Niki Lauda (who drove a Ferrari to Formula 1 World Championship victory) as the first brand ambassador.

The towers of Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda boast of 29 and 26 storeys each, including four floors of parking.

Housing only offices, the Twin Towers provide tenants leisure facilities such as two tennis courts, a state-of-the-art gymnasium and outdoor swimming pools, as well as prayer rooms.

The Boris Becker Business Tower, valued at 550 million Dirhams, will soar to an imposing 19 storeys over water, offering a gross commercial space of 4,52,000 square feet.

Combining state-of-the-art infrastructure with the latest in integrated technologies, it will offer Grade A freehold office space, affording tenants a seamlessly fused working environment that provides all the amenities and conveniences within the same building including upscale retail and cafes.

Mr. Sanjay Chimnani believes “The project is ambitious, but timely. Dubai is a city of record, where masterpieces are made, and milestones achieved. ACI Real Estate is also the name behind the Dubai Star mixed-use tower at Jumeirah Lakes Towers, as well as several projects in City of Arabia, Al Furjan, Mizin and Lagoons. Our projects have distinct styling and design bundled with unrivalled facilities.”

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